Day 3

All year round the temperature is about 18 °C in the cave. Thanks to the new lighting system, the Lake Cave awaits visitors from March 2012 with more beautiful lights and view than ever.

The Slavic originated word (Toplica) means warm water.

The Lake Cave of Tapolca was discovered in 1903 during well-digging and was opened to the puplic ten years later. This way it became the first electricity-installed cave of Hungary, serving touristic aims as well. The cave was formed in Sarmatian limestone of the mid-Miocene Subepoch 13.7 million years ago. Therefore its rock is made up of limestone and marl layers left behind by sediments of the one-time Sarmatian Sea.

The water supply of the Lake Cave arrives from two directions, and this fact itself gives answer also to the formation of the passages. The water temperature 18-20°C, enabling the water to create the passages. This warm water flows slowly from the dry Hospital Cave on the north towards the springs of Mill Lake. The outbreaking water flows into the Tapolca Brook through numerous springs, existing since the Ice Age. At the end of the 1800's the upper section of the brook's bed was widened by damming. That is the way the Mill Lake itself came to existence and in consequance of the damming the Lake Cave became suitable for boating. The most prominent and well-known representative of the wildlife of the Lake Cave is Phoxinus phoxinus, a small fish species. It is on the RED LIST of Threatened Species by IUCN. IUCN = International Union for the Conservation of Nature That is why our company chose this name Phoxinus Ecotourism Services Ltd , in order to represent our main strategy to enhance ecotourism of Hungary.

The Lake Cave of Tapolca has been strictly protected since 1982; its highly protected status is justified by its geological, genetic, geomorphic, hydrological and biological values and its extent.

The Mill Pond close to the cave has a very romantic and mediterranic feel. The hot water springs that have their sources in this place have been blanked up and used for the mill. On the stage located on the surface of the pond are programs called Tapolca Summer in July and August year by year.

At the edges of the Csobánc, Szentgyörgy and Badacsony Hills, typical formations of solidifying –basalt: the basalt columns can be seen. At the slopes of Badacsony, huge rock-glaciers and block fields are to be found, where the large-leaf linden and the mahaleb cherry forest can just establish themselves.

One of the greatest achievements of the Hungarian nature conservation movement is that the basalt quarries opened here in 1903 have finally been closed down

The basalt cone - mountains of the area are not only unique and picturesque geological relics, they are also the habitat of many rare plants and animals. In addition to the natural values the main fascination of Badacsony is : vineyards dating back to the Roman times, world-famous wine-culture is blooming in the region with the result of many international wine-awards. (All detailed information about Badacsony wines and our wine-tasting program can be read under our Wine & Spirits menu )

Airplain tips

Norwegian.com , FinnAir, WizzAir, Air Baltic, Lufthansa, etc.
Email : flightticket@natureandwinetravel.com
Phone: +3630/9972239
The great benefit of arriving on Wednesday is : avoiding traffic jams on the motorway between Budapest Airport and Lake Balaton on the weekends and having many varieties of flight schedule.

FIRST MINUTES ! 5 % discount now!

This special deal applies to all reservations during the entire season. The offer expires on 31 March.
Don't miss your chance to benefit from a 65 € discount per person!

FIRST MINUTES ! 5 % discount now!

This special deal applies to all reservations during the entire season. The offer expires on 31 March. .
Don't miss your chance to benefit from a 60 € discount per person!